Leaders Shaping the Future of PBSA Join The Urban Developer Summit

The Urban Developer’s Purpose-Built Student Accommodation Summit returns this year on Thursday, August 20 at Gate8, Melbourne—and the speaker lineup is now confirmed. Here are the people writing the sector’s next chapter.

Paul Savitz | director of living sectors capital markets, Cushman and Wakefield

After rwo decades advising on some of the sector’s most significant transactions across Australia, New Zealand and the UK, Savitz will open the day with a keynote on the macroeconomic, demographic and policy forces driving the next investment cycle.

Clinton Ostwald | partner, Urbis

Ostwald has more than 30 years in economics and property investment, including 25 years at Urbis.

His keynote will examine what offshore capital is targeting, how operational performance is influencing valuations and where investors see long-term opportunity.

Anouk Darling | chief executive, Scape

Leading the country’s largest PBSA platform, with more than $13 billion in assets and more than 20,000 apartments, Darling also chairs the Student Accommodation Council, the sector’s peak industry body.

She will join the panel looking at how to make the numbers work in a challenging delivery market.

Toby Lewis | managing director, Marquette

Lewis founded the Brisbane investment firm in 2009 and converted a 27-storey Brisbane office tower into a 1200-bed PBSA asset in partnership with Dexus.

He joins Darling on the panel unpacking how developers, builders and financiers are keeping projects moving.

Amanda Moore | associate principal, JCBA

With over  25 years of interior design experience across Australia and internationally, Moore’s case study explores the market’s next phase: unlocking value from existing assets, not just building new ones.

Alex Karamouzis | student housing industry lead, Salto

Working with PBSA operators and universities moving from keys to smart, cloud-connected access, Karamouzis’s session covers how technology is lifting safety, efficiency and student satisfaction.

Andrew Hogan | managing director, Point Polaris

Hogan brings 25 years of international experience advising on major property and urban development projects.

He joins the panel exploring the partnership model between universities, developers and builders.

James Curtin | general manager of developments, Dexus

With more than 20 years across healthcare delivery and property development, in a role spanning growth markets, alternative investments and healthcare, Curtin joins the partnership model panel.

Jodie Harris | director of sustainability, masterplanning and systems, La Trobe University

Leads a team delivering sustainability, campus planning and systems initiatives across the university.

Harris wil bring a university perspective to the partnership model panel.

Simon Hulett | head of equity investment, MaxCap

Hulett has more than 20 years across investment management, funds, acquisitions and development.

He joins the behind-the-scenes session on 570 Little Bourke Street, the $300-million, 892-bed PBSA tower under way on the western edge of the Melbourne CBD.

Tomas Johnsson | chief executive, UniLodge Living Group

Brining more than 25 years of senior leadership experience across tourism, hospitality and accommodation, Johnsson joins the 570 Little Bourke Street session as the project’s appointed operator.

Zoran Trimcevski | head of property, Hickory

Trimcevski leads the builder’s property strategy, acquisitions and portfolio management.

He completes the 570 Little Bourke Street panel: capital, operator and builder on one project.

David Hill | chief investment officer, Cedar Pacific

Cedar Pacific has delivered more than 10,000 PBSA beds totalling more than $3 billion in assets, with a growing pipeline across build-to-rent and co-living.

We close the day with a fireside conversation on the forces shaping PBSA in Australia and how one of its most active investors is responding.

Tickets are on sale now — this event will sell out.

Register here.

Thursday, August 20 2026 | Gate8, Melbourne

Standard: $595 + GST | TUD+ Members: $475 + GST